SOUTHERN WEIGHT LOSS NZ

23/01/2026

Abdominal pain after gastric bypass surgery can be worrying — and it’s completely understandable to feel concerned when something doesn’t feel right.
The reassuring news is that gastric bypass is a safe, well-established weight loss surgery, and many causes of abdominal discomfort after surgery are common, expected, and treatable as your body heals and adapts.
For patients undergoing weight loss surgery in Dunedin, Otago, and Southland, abdominal pain may be related to eating patterns, food intolerance, constipation, dumping-type symptoms, or gallstones that can occasionally develop during rapid weight loss. These are well-recognised issues in bariatric care and are usually manageable with the right advice and follow-up.
What’s important is knowing when to seek help. Persistent pain, worsening symptoms, vomiting, fevers, or pain that feels different from your usual post-operative experience should always be assessed. Early review is part of safe bariatric care — not something to delay.
At Southern Weight Loss, we provide specialist bariatric surgery and aftercare locally in Dunedin, supporting patients from across Otago, Southland, Central Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, Invercargill, and surrounding regions. Ongoing follow-up, reassurance, and access to experienced surgical support are built into our service.
📍 Local bariatric care for Dunedin, Otago & Southland
📞 If you’re concerned about symptoms after weight loss surgery, our team is here to help

23/01/2026

Lasting weight loss isn't about perfection or just willpower alone.

For many people, factors like biology, hormones, and metabolism make losing weight challenging and keeping it off even tougher. That’s why real progress often needs proper medical guidance.

At Southern Weight Loss, we offer proven weight-loss solutions to patients throughout Dunedin, Otago, and Southland—including both surgical and non-surgical treatments, plus structured, ongoing support.

If you’re seeking an open, supportive discussion about your choices without any judgment or pressure, our team is ready to assist you.
👉 Book a consultation today
📍 Local specialist care in Dunedin, supporting Otago & Southland

22/01/2026

Staying active after weight loss surgery is an important part of long-term success and overall wellbeing.
For patients who have undergone bariatric surgery in Dunedin or across Otago, movement should be introduced gradually and tailored to each stage of recovery. In the early weeks, gentle activity such as walking helps support healing, circulation, and confidence. As recovery progresses, building regular, sustainable movement can help maintain weight loss, protect muscle mass, and improve energy and mobility.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to exercise after surgery. Every patient’s journey is different, and activity plans should always reflect individual health needs, recovery timelines, and any existing medical conditions.
If you’ve had weight loss surgery in Dunedin, Otago, or the wider Southern region, your healthcare team can help guide safe and appropriate activity as part of your long-term care plan.
Always consult your surgeon or allied health team before starting or changing an exercise programme.

22/01/2026

Staying active after weight loss surgery is an important part of maintaining long-term results and supporting overall wellbeing.
For patients recovering from bariatric surgery in Dunedin, movement should be introduced gradually and tailored to your stage of healing. Early recovery may focus on gentle walking, while longer-term progress includes building sustainable activity that supports strength, mobility, and metabolic health.
There is no single “right” exercise plan after surgery. Every patient’s journey is different, and activity should always be guided by your individual health needs and recovery timeline.
If you’ve had weight loss surgery in Dunedin or Otago, your healthcare team can help ensure your exercise programme is safe, appropriate, and supports long-term success.
Always consult your surgeon or allied health team before starting or changing an exercise routine.

20/01/2026

Obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity are closely linked.
Excess weight can narrow the airway during sleep, leading to repeated breathing interruptions, poor sleep quality, and ongoing fatigue.
Untreated sleep apnoea is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
The encouraging news is that sustained weight loss can significantly improve — and sometimes resolve — sleep apnoea in selected patients.
At Southern Weight Loss, we provide evidence-based obesity care for patients across Dunedin, Otago, Southland, Queenstown, and Wanaka, with a focus on long-term health and informed decision-making.
📍 Local care.
🩺 Medical, not cosmetic.
💬 Calm, informed conversations about your options

20/01/2026

Always tired — even after a full night’s sleep?
Obstructive sleep apnoea is common in people living with obesity and affects many adults across Dunedin, Otago, and Queenstown.
It occurs when the airway repeatedly narrows or collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start throughout the night.
This can lead to:
• Ongoing daytime fatigue
• Poor concentration and morning headaches
• Increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes
Excess weight around the neck and abdomen plays a significant role by increasing pressure on the airway during sleep — which is why sleep apnoea and obesity are so closely linked.
The encouraging news is that sustained weight loss can significantly improve — and in some cases resolve — obstructive sleep apnoea.
For selected patients, treatment options may include CPAP therapy, medical weight management, or bariatric surgery as part of a comprehensive, individualised care plan.
At Southern Weight Loss, we provide evidence-based obesity care locally for patients in Dunedin, Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, and the wider Southland region, with a focus on long-term health, informed decision-making, and ongoing support.
If poor sleep is affecting your health or quality of life, a medical assessment can help clarify the next steps.

16/01/2026

A real patient story. Real health change.
This gentleman underwent laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass surgery in 2022 after a careful assessment process. At the time of surgery, he was living with obesity-related health issues including back pain, sleep apnoea, reflux, high blood pressure, and low energy.
Since surgery, combined with ongoing lifestyle changes, his weight and overall health have changed significantly. More importantly, his quality of life has improved: he is active, exercising regularly, back playing golf, and enjoying day to day life again.
He also shares an honest perspective on bariatric surgery. It requires adjustment, earning new eating habits, prioritising hydration, and making long-term lifestyle changes, but for him, the benefits to health and independence have outweighed the challenges.
Every patient’s journey is different. Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix and is only offered following appropriate medical assessment, education, and long-term support.
If you’re in Dunedin, Otago, or Southland and considering your options, a consultation allows a calm, informed discussion about suitability, risks, and long-term care.
📍 Southern Weight Loss
Individual results vary.

15/01/2026

Bariatric surgery vs GLP-1 medications: what new research shows
If you’re exploring options for treating obesity, you’ve likely heard about GLP-1 weight loss medications and bariatric surgery. A large 2025 study published in JAMA Surgery compared these two approaches in people with class II and III obesity — and the findings are important for anyone considering treatment.
The study reviewed outcomes from over 30,000 patients and found that bariatric surgery was associated with greater average weight loss than GLP-1 medications. On average, patients who had surgery achieved around 28% total weight loss, compared with about 10% for those treated with medication alone.
The researchers also found that, while surgery has higher upfront costs, total healthcare costs over two years were lower for surgery compared with ongoing GLP-1 medication therapy. This was largely due to the continuing cost of medications.
What does this mean for patients?
Both approaches can be effective , but they are not interchangeable. The right option depends on factors such as BMI, existing health conditions, previous weight-loss attempts, and long-term goals.
At Southern Weightloss, we support patients across Dunedin, Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka, and Southland with evidence-based obesity treatment. Our role is to help you understand your options clearly, so you can make an informed decision that suits your health and lifestyle.
👉 Learn more about weight-loss treatment options or book a consultation.

07/01/2026

Tired of dieting… and starting again?
If you’re a woman aged 30–60 in Dunedin, Otago, or Southland who has tried diet after diet — only to regain the weight — this is not a failure.
It’s biology.
Obesity is a medical condition, not a willpower problem. Hormones, metabolism, and genetics make long-term weight loss extremely difficult without the right support.
Many women reach out because they want to:
• feel healthier and more energetic
• reduce diabetes, blood pressure, reflux, or joint pain
• keep up with their kids or grandkids
• stop the yo-yo cycle for good
There are evidence-based obesity treatments available locally, beyond dieting alone, designed to support long-term health.
If you’re in Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, Wanaka, or across Otago and Southland, and you’re ready for a calm, informed conversation about your options:
👉 Take the first step. Book a consultation today.
Your health deserves more than another diet.

30/12/2025

Why does extra weight increase arthritis risk? Many people are surprised to learn that excess weight is one of the biggest risk factors for developing osteoarthritis — especially in the hips and knees. Extra weight places more pressure on the joints, and body fat also increases inflammation, which can worsen pain and stiffness over time.
The good news? Even small, steady weight loss can make a real difference — reducing pain, improving movement, and helping protect your joints for the long term.
If you’re in Dunedin, Otago, or Southland and would like to learn more about medical or surgical weight-management options, our local specialist team is here to support you with safe, evidence-based care — no pressure, just honest advice.
You don’t have to do this on your own.

30/12/2025

Obesity and High Blood Pressure: Understanding the Link | Dunedin & Wānaka
High blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity are closely linked. In fact, excess body weight is one of the strongest risk factors for developing hypertension. This relationship is well established in medical research and is commonly seen in patients across Dunedin, Otago, and Wānaka.
So how does obesity cause high blood pressure?
When a person carries excess body fat — particularly around the abdomen — several changes occur in the body that raise blood pressure:
• Increased workload on the heart
Extra body weight means the heart has to pump harder to supply blood to a larger mass of tissue. Over time, this increased workload contributes to persistently elevated blood pressure.
• Hormonal and nervous system effects
Excess fat tissue activates hormones and the sympathetic nervous system, which can cause blood vessels to constrict and the kidneys to retain salt and water — both of which raise blood pressure.
• Insulin resistance and inflammation
Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation. These changes damage blood vessel function and reduce their ability to relax, leading to higher blood pressure.
• Effects on the kidneys
Abdominal (visceral) fat places physical and hormonal stress on the kidneys, impairing their ability to regulate fluid balance and blood pressure effectively.
Because of these mechanisms, obesity-related hypertension often occurs alongside other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease — a cluster sometimes referred to as metabolic syndrome.
The encouraging news is that sustained weight loss can significantly improve blood pressure control. For many people, even modest weight reduction leads to lower readings and, in some cases, reduced reliance on blood pressure medication.
At Southern Weight Loss, we regularly support patients from Dunedin, Otago, and Wānaka who are seeking long-term solutions for obesity and related conditions such as hypertension. Management options may include structured lifestyle support, medical weight management, or bariatric surgery — depending on individual circumstances.
If you are concerned about high blood pressure and weight, a consultation can help you understand the underlying causes and explore appropriate treatment options in a clear, balanced way.

30/12/2025

Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Dunedin & Otago: Treating Obesity and Related Health Conditions
Obesity is a chronic medical condition influenced by biology, hormones, appetite regulation, and environment — not simply willpower. For some people in Dunedin and across Otago, diet and lifestyle changes alone are not enough to achieve or maintain meaningful, long-term weight loss.
Gastric sleeve surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is a well-established, evidence-based treatment option for obesity that can also improve many obesity-related health conditions.
The procedure reduces the size of the stomach, helping people feel full sooner and naturally eat smaller portions. It also affects gut hormones involved in hunger, satiety, and blood sugar control. Because of this, the benefits often extend well beyond weight loss alone.
Many patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in Otago experience:
• Significant and sustained weight loss
• Improved blood sugar control and reduced need for type 2 diabetes medication
• Improvement in high blood pressure
• Reduced severity of obstructive sleep apnoea
• Improvement in fatty liver disease and cholesterol levels
• Reduced joint pain and improved mobility
For many people, these health improvements lead to better energy, increased physical function, and an improved quality of life.
Gastric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix, and it is not suitable for everyone. It works best as part of a structured, long-term weight management plan that includes specialist medical care, dietitian support, and ongoing follow-up.
At Southern Weight Loss, we provide specialist bariatric consultations and gastric sleeve surgery locally in Dunedin, supporting patients throughout Otago, including Central Otago, Queenstown, and Wānaka. Consultations are focused on education, ensuring patients fully understand the benefits, risks, and alternative treatment options.
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery in Dunedin or Otago, a consultation can help you decide whether this approach — or another weight-loss treatment — is right for you.

Achieve lasting weight loss results in New Zealand with our supportive programmes. Discover a sustainable weight loss program designed for your success. Contact us today for a free consultation!